Category: Puerto Rico

Fiona Becomes a Hurricane, Aims at Puerto Rico

HAVANA—Fiona strengthened into a hurricane Sunday as it bore down on Puerto Rico, where people braced for severe wind and potentially “historic” levels of rain. Forecasters said the downpour was expected to produce landslides and heavy flooding, with up to 25 inches (64 centimeters) possible in isolated areas. “It’s time to take action and be…


Puerto Rico Girds for Possible Hurricane as Tropical Storm Fiona Nears

HAVANA—Tropical Storm Fiona headed for Puerto Rico on Saturday night, with forecasters warning it likely would grow into a hurricane before hitting on Sunday with extremely heavy rains with the potential to cause landslides, severe flooding, and power outages. The storm already lashed several eastern Caribbean islands, with one death reported in the French territory…


Puerto Rico Under Hurricane Warning as Tropical Storm Fiona Approaches

HAVANA—Tropical Storm Fiona was expected to become a hurricane as it neared Puerto Rico on Saturday, threatening to dump up to 20 inches (51 centimeters) of rain as people braced for potential landslides, severe flooding and power outages. The storm previously battered various eastern Caribbean islands, with one death reported in the French territory of…


Tropical Storm Fiona Could Menace Puerto Rico This Weekend

MIAMI—Tropical Storm Fiona is on a path to threaten the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico this weekend. The Atlantic Hurricane Season’s sixth named storm formed Wednesday evening, and the U.S. National Hurricane Center issued tropical storm watches for the Caribbean’s easternmost islands. “Interests in the Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico should monitor…


7 Accused in $1.2 Million Extortion Scheme at Puerto Rico Docks

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico—Federal authorities on Monday arrested seven people including a union leader and various dock workers accused in a $1.2 million extortion scheme that targeted shipping companies. U.S. Attorney Stephen Muldrow said the scheme began in 2005 and affected local and foreign commerce, including shipping between Puerto Rico and the U.S. and British…


Puerto Rico’s Ex-Governor Arrested on Bribery Charges Over Alleged Election Campaign Finance Scheme

The former governor of Puerto Rico was arrested Thursday in San Juan on bribery charges related to the alleged financing of her 2020 reelection campaign, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced. Wanda Vázquez Garced, a member of the pro-statehood New Progressive Party who had previously promised to fight corruption, was scheduled to appear in federal court on…


Official: Ex Puerto Rico Gov. Wanda Vazquez Arrested

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico—Former Puerto Rico Gov. Wanda Vázquez was arrested Thursday in the U.S. territory on corruption charges, marking the first time that a former leader of the island faces federal charges, an official told The Associated Press. Two other unidentified people were arrested along with her, said the official, who was not authorized…


Democrat-Led House Bill Would Give Puerto Rico Path to Statehood, Independence

A bipartisan group of representatives, although mostly Democrats, unveiled legislation on May 19 that would grant Puerto Rico a path to statehood. The group, led by House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-N.Y.) and joined by Reps. Darren Soto (D-Fla.), Nydia Velazquez (D-N.Y.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), and Puerto Rico’s Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González-Colón, a Republican, hopes to…


11 Dead, 31 Rescued After Boat Capsizes Near Puerto Rico

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico—A boat loaded with suspected migrants capsized north of an uninhabited island near Puerto Rico and 11 people had been confirmed dead while 31 others were rescued Thursday, authorities said. It wasn’t immediately clear how many people were aboard the boat when it turned over, said U.S. Coast Guard spokesman Ricardo Castrodad….


Power Restored in Puerto Rico Nearly 5 Days After Blackout

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico—A private company announced Monday that power had been fully restored to Puerto Rico’s almost 1.5 million customers nearly five days after a fire at a main power plant sparked an island-wide blackout and prompted public schools and government agencies to close. Officials are now focused on investigating what exactly caused the…